Tag Archives: 2012 global write a thon

Sting, Roger Waters and a growing number of artists and activists are joining Amnesty International activists like you who are raising their voices to help free Pussy Riot.

All over the world, freedom-loving people are deeply troubled that Masha Alekhina and Nadya Tolokonnikova of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot are still in prison. A Russian appeals court failed to overturn their sentence in October despite a global outcry calling for their acquittal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin didn’t like the song they performed. And, on top of that, despite the fact that last week was Russian Constitution Day—a constitution that guarantees the right to free expression, mind you, officials are shutting down free speech all across Russia – and getting away with it.

Pussy Riot’s case connects the worlds of music and human rights. When you add yourself to the Free Pussy Riot Map – Amnesty International’s newest human rights project for solidarity, you help deepen that connection.

When asked how he felt about Pussy Riot’s case, Sting had this to say: “Dissent is a legitimate and essential right in any democracy and modern politicians must accept this fact with tolerance.”

Then, the letters arrive. At first, just a few. Then, day by day, they grow. Soon, beautiful messages scrawled on colorful paper and decorative cards fill your world. These are letters written by people in nearby cities andfar away countries. They are messages of support and solidarity, hope and inspiration, and strength and motivation from people you don’t even know. They are messages written to both you and those who have imprisoned you.

At that moment, you realize that these aren’t just letters – they are life lines. You feel free again.